A brand new framework of professional development qualifications for the security sector has been launched at the inaugural Security Week event at Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire. Valerie Dale, HR Director of G4S Secure Solutions (UK) (‘G4S’), the UK’s leading security company, was a guest speaker at the launch,  describing how the new courses form an integral part of the company’s new Learning and Development strategy,  now available to all 18,500 of its UK employees.

The framework of qualifications that includes “Securing the Future”, the joint initiative between Bucks New University and The University of Worcester Business School, links a Foundation Degree in Business Management for the Security Industries to a third year top-up and the Leading to Excellence programme. These qualifications form a natural progression from G4S’s “Step Up and Step Ahead” development initiatives for employees; together these provide business-critical and security-critical modules to underpin practical experience in the industry with recognised qualifications.

Valerie Dale, addressing delegates which included representatives of the Metropolitan Police, private sector security companies and security professionals from public and private sector organisations, revealed how the new courses would integrate into G4S’s groundbreaking new strategy which can take entry level employees often without formal qualifications, and put in place a cohesive plan to train and develop them all the way through their career path.

G4S’s Learning and Development (L&D) strategy incorporates a range of mandatory, elective, bespoke elements, and qualifications, from  SIA licensing, first aid, Skills for Life and soft skills requirements as well as role specific and  NVQ2 courses such as the Stewarding & Spectator Safety course.  It also includes G4S’s own ‘Step-up’ and ‘Step-ahead’ qualifications, designed for those with potential to progress into management roles, which are mapped to NVQ2 and NVQ3 level. The Securing the Future programme then paves the way for employees to build on their portfolio which could lead to an MBA level qualification.

Valerie Dale, HR Director, G4S Secure Solutions (UK), said: “The launch of these qualifications is great news for the security industry and form an integral part of G4S’s L&D strategy to support real career progression, and equip its employees with the skills, knowledge and qualifications to carry out their roles to the best of their abilities.

“The Learning and Development strategy applies to frontline staff, management and support staff so everyone has the opportunity to learn and develop. We give our employees the opportunity to underpin their practical experience with training relevant to their role, from “soft skills” such as its new course on talent fairness and equality, written in conjunction with ACAS and the GMB union, to functional qualifications such as CIPD and CIMA where appropriate.”

“G4S has recognised that investment in training, particularly during a downturn, puts the company in the strongest position to gain competitive advantage in an economic recovery. We aim to significantly increase the number of learners going through our programmes and qualifications over the next 12 months.”

Security Week – “Safety, sustainability and crowd management” is hosted by Bucks New University and takes place between 21-25 September at Missenden Abbey in Buckinghamshire.